More than the SATs or ACTs: College Prep Means Advanced Placement, Core Courses and Financial Aid

Your parents pay $2000 for an SAT preparation class and your score improves 200 points. You’re thrilled! Right up until you learn that college admissions counselors only view college board scores long after they’ve viewed other admissions requirement.

If they view them at all.

The company that received your $2000 did its job: it got you ready for the SATs. It didn’t get you ready for college or college admissions.

Top Factors in College Admissions

According to the National Association of College Admission Counseling, admissions deans want to know the following:

Grades in College Prep Courses. 80% want to know how you did in Advanced Placement and Honors, the classes most similar to college.

Strength of Curriculum. 64% want to see that you challenged yourself. Did you take enough AP classes?

Admissions Test Scores. Only 58% see your SAT or ACT scores as very important. A company that only focuses on improving your board scores may not tell you that.

Grades in All Courses. 52% place great emphasis on all your grades, not just AP Chemistry or Calculus.

There’s a long list of admissions requirements. Near the bottom are your SAT II Subject Test Scores and extracurricular activities. Make sure your high school priorities match those of the colleges you want to attend.

Comprehensive College Prep Programs

A complete college prep program should have three stages:

Getting you college ready: admissions requirements (including the SATs) and a strong, proper curriculum.

Preparing you for college classes: critical thinking, time-management and other important skills you will need.

Financial aid: all the information you need about financial aid, from application to appeal.

College prep must be comprehensive because college is. A college that covers every aspect of your higher education and prepares you for a career is worth every penny you pay. College prep should be the same way. It must prepare you for the next level.

Make sure the college prep experts you turn to get you ready for life after high school.